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PARTICIPATIVE ERGONOMICS
MANUAL HANDLING INJURY PREVENTION

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Incorrect manual handling is one of the main causes of workplace injury.

Did you know that for the ACC 2021 year there were 14,846 musculoskeletal injury work related claims at non AEP employers, accepted by ACC, across the Manufacturing, Retail, Transport and Supply Chain industries. 

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ShopCare is proud to support the First Move Manual Handling Injury Prevention programme, aimed at reducing workplace injuries.

 

The programme was developed by Provention's founder Alison Richmond - a Physiotherapist with many years experience implementing effective manual handling and injury prevention strategies across a range of industries.

 

ShopCare has made this programme available, at no cost, to warehouse and merchandising teams in the New Zealand grocery industry. 

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We encourage all associated businesses in New Zealand to take advantage of this simple, easy to use tool.

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There are a number of recognised ways you can support your workers to help them stay safe and healthy, while performing manual handling roles.

Educate your workers, and observe them to ensure safe practice is being followed

Safe working practices, when lifting on your own like the following:

 

  • Get a firm grip, use your whole hand not just your fingers

  • Lift steadily, not in a jerky movement

  • Straighten knees as you stand, keeping your back straight – this helps your leg muscles, which are the strongest, take the bulk of the weight

  • Hold the load closely, and tuck your arms and elbows in against your body. Keep your heels on the ground, and make sure the load is not too heavy or awkward to balance

  • Position yourself to lift the load with your body facing the direction in which you intend to carry it

  • If the load is an uneven shape, make sure that the heaviest part is closest to your body, so that if the weight shifts it will move towards you

  • Stand close to the load, with one foot in front of it and the other to one side

  • Bend your knees, do not stoop

  • Keep your back straight, not necessarily upright but straight, while tucking your chin in.

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Work is repetitive when it requires the same muscle groups to be used over and over again during the working day, or when it  requires frequent movements to be performed for prolonged periods. Rapid or prolonged repetition may not allow sufficient time for recovery.

 

This can cause muscle fatigue due to depletion of energy and a build up of metabolic waste materials. Repeated loading of soft tissues is also associated with inflammation, degeneration and microscopic changes.

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Use of excessive force can lead to fatigue and, if sustained, to injury, either through a single event strain injury or through the cumulative effect of the repeated use of such force. Force can be applied through the muscles, tendons, and joints of the upper limb and can occur as a result of handling heavy objects when performing tasks.

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